113 S2091 IS: 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act
U.S. Senate
2014-03-06
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents(a)This Act may be cited as the
21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act
.(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I—Benefits claims submission
Sec. 101. Modification of Transition Assistance Program to enable online participation.
Sec. 102. Requirement to encourage claimants to use appropriate forms.
Sec. 103. Required communications to users of eBenefits Internet website.
Sec. 104. Extension of authority for retroactive date of awards for filing fully developed claims.
Sec. 105. Requirement that decisions on claims explain benefits of filing appeals within 180 days.
Sec. 106. Requirement to use Department of Veterans Affairs form 21–0958 in regional offices for
filing of notices of disagreement.
Sec. 107. Determination of manner of appearance for hearings before Board of Veterans' Appeals.
TITLE II—Practices of regional offices
Sec. 201. Required Comptroller General audit of regional offices of Veterans Benefits
Administration.
Sec. 202. Study on service-connected disabilities that worsen with age.
Sec. 203. Improvements to authority for performance of medical disabilities examinations by
contract physician.
Sec. 204. Improvement of mail processing by Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 205. Review of practices of regional offices regarding use of suspense dates.
Sec. 206. Semiannual reports on progress in implementing Veterans Benefits Management System.
Sec. 207. Annual report on capacity of Veterans Benefits Administration to process benefits claims.
Sec. 208. Increased transparency in Monday Morning Workload Report.
Sec. 209. Reports on appeals of decisions on benefits claims.
TITLE III—Government response
Sec. 301. Increased cooperation across Government.
Sec. 302. Report on interoperability between electronic health records systems of Department of
Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.
<enum>I</enum><header>Benefits claims submission</header><section id="id39ABD1E035B24472A19076FA03400D3E"><enum>101.</enum><header>Modification of Transition Assistance Program to enable online participation</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/10/1144">Section 1144</external-xref> of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5F7018DB03BA407495CAE90844E3920D" style="OLC"><subsection id="id290C4059BDD64FC3A75F22D5ADF923AC"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Online curriculum</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id327D490CEBBC4FA5BA3189D7C7789A91"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary of Labor, in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland
Security, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall take such actions
and make such modifications to the eBenefits Internet website as may be
necessary to ensure that members of the armed forces and spouses described
in subsection (a)(1) can participate in the program carried out under
this section
through such Internet website.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id39FE04B9D1574AFB9E6BD6A4F2871EF9" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>An individual subject to a requirement under subsection (c) may not satisfy such requirement by
participating in the program carried out under this section solely through
an Internet website.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><section id="id9C5A42744585468DBD30ABD89E1C4DA5"><enum>102.</enum><header>Requirement to encourage claimants to use appropriate forms</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall encourage each individual who is seeking to file a claim
with the Secretary for a benefit under a law administered by the Secretary
to file such claim using an appropriate form established by the Secretary
for such purpose.</text></section><section id="id41FFB60C03094710A58FF69282CE98D1"><enum>103.</enum><header>Required communications to users of eBenefits Internet website</header><subsection id="idB69C08EC847140FE9E71BE2A9E722570"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Automated notification of resources</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take such measures as may be necessary so that whenever an
individual establishes an account on the eBenefits Internet website of the
Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense an e-mail is sent
to the individual that includes a description of the following:</text><paragraph id="id8FC8019C5C2B45DEA058624E9F7DCDBA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The benefits of filing a fully developed claim.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id8EEA7B7424794A8FA72ACDB11D51BB78"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Where the individual can go to obtain assistance in filing a fully developed claim, including the
following:</text><subparagraph id="id1EAE2347B4DA463D8C4EF69FF25AB6A2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Department of Veterans Affairs.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA3A0A047398E4FFE87CFFF0ABE418666"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902
of title 38, United States Code.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idC26F44F46FA947238DA4F4998F51CFDD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Alternate communication</header><text>Whenever the Secretary sends a message to an individual through the eBenefits Internet website
described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall also send such message to
the individual through the use of a second medium selected by the
individual, such as by telephone or by sending an e-mail to a private
e-mail address of the individual.</text></subsection></section><section id="id4609EC86ECCA4D50AA619D397F43B637"><enum>104.</enum><header>Extension of authority for retroactive date of awards for filing fully developed claims</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5110">Section 5110(b)(2)(C)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>the date that is three years after the date of the enactment of such Act</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2020</quote>.</text></section><section id="idEC0D015A7764474FAA92E0DD3E02BF54"><enum>105.</enum><header>Requirement that decisions on claims explain benefits of filing appeals within 180 days</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5104">Section 5104(a)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text><paragraph id="id4786FD5D888A4B86B0613701202C21A7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>(1)</quote> before <quote>In the case</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id20750D6DB18C49798667579856036C5C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking the second sentence and inserting the following new paragraph:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id55A308D8FBC6469ABE2792833EBB9DA0" style="OLC"><paragraph id="idDE882341F7A2468AA181A1259EA7A05C" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The notice shall include the following:</text><subparagraph id="id7F14EF0541534A0A8256AD9857336918"><enum>(A)</enum><text>An explanation of the procedure for obtaining review of the decision.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE4C78B5758F9434EABAB783636C79A8E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An explanation of the benefits of filing for review of the decision within 180 days.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section><section id="id3def9ba0431a4c66aaaf4cf023cf8994"><enum>106.</enum><header>Requirement to use Department of Veterans Affairs form 21–0958 in regional offices for filing of
notices of disagreement</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall use Department of Veterans Affairs form 21–0958, or such
other form as the Secretary may require, in each of the regional offices
of the Department for purposes of filing notices of disagreement under
<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7105">section 7105(b)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code.</text></section><section id="id23C72729B1B84954AB622334A06CD643"><enum>107.</enum><header>Determination
of manner of appearance for hearings before Board of Veterans' Appeals</header><subsection id="id9531732AF2DF4874BCF450F73957DA07"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7107">Section 7107</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is
amended—</text><paragraph id="idA84D2124E4F8413AA72325C37D6DA2BD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking subsection (e);</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id4E0A9B7DA28341B18675EDF36F5C1733"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating subsections (d) and (f) as subsections (f) and (g), respectively;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idECB124C008984C7D9556CA0F7891D6DA"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsections (d) and (e):</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1B180A20F17D4CC19EC06B8BD5E115B4" style="OLC"><subsection id="id935D177D666C40CBB0560A45A15366F2"><enum>(d)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idD46C52E838AC4AF6AF549FC26D8C4D7C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Subject to paragraph (2), a hearing before the Board shall be conducted, as the Board considers
appropriate—</text><subparagraph id="id903855C314E242849AB2C03B52E104EF" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in person; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id473FA703E789468F98F5A937127FFAE5" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>through picture and voice transmission, by electronic or other means, in such manner that the
appellant is not present in the same location as the members of the Board
during the hearing.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id1BB93F60617C43D9B39BB239B2DEF44C" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Upon request by an appellant, a hearing before the Board shall be conducted, as the appellant
considers appropriate—</text><subparagraph id="idAF58A05A7C294693A2803EDBB8635851"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in person; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id34C7D8189CD24657AB8D410C2B1F2F17"><enum>(B)</enum><text>through picture and voice transmission as described in paragraph (1)(B).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id28acdc71747848cb84b6c1275336722c"><enum>(e)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idD9EE3CAF7402485AACE2EB1462B532CC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In a case in which a hearing before the Board is to be conducted through picture and voice
transmission as described in subsection (d)(1)(B), the Secretary shall
provide suitable facilities and equipment to the Board or other components
of the Department to enable an appellant located at an appropriate
facility within the area served by a regional office to participate as so
described.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id2195d679c1dc4be58145316766e2cc76" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Any hearing conducted through picture and voice transmission as described in subsection (d)(1)(B)
shall be conducted in the same manner as, and shall be considered the
equivalent of, a personal hearing.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="idCA5D59516D1E472C8F2F45F5D3BF7A04"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in subsection (f)(1), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by striking <quote>An appellant may request</quote> and all that follows through <quote>office of the Department</quote> and inserting <quote>In a case in which a hearing before the Board is to be conducted in person, the hearing shall be
held at the principal location of the Board or at a facility of the
Department located within the area served by a regional office of the
Department.</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idDACBC5E56B1B49839DC1229DABD41C71"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with
respect to cases received by the Board of Veterans' Appeals pursuant to
notices
of disagreement submitted on or after the date of the enactment of this
Act.</text></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Practices of regional offices</header><section id="idd36a86be2c58471d96b82a81e61c6be6"><enum>201.</enum><header>Required Comptroller General audit of regional offices of Veterans Benefits Administration</header><subsection id="idA11E713F40C249938577221156B5B968"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall complete an audit of the regional offices of the
Veterans Benefits Administration—</text><paragraph id="id5D41325B5E80475799D9BC02966E4EDE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to assess the consistency of decisions being made with respect to claims for benefits under laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idFB73F0B242F2488980AE96FFC2B28C2B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to identify ways in which the consistency of such decisions can be improved.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id5177419D6AFC4303963D5DC32AEF2703"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Identification of factors and best practices</header><text>The audit conducted under subsection (a) shall include the following:</text><paragraph id="idD8AA161CD015430998A4A20512E3F9E0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Identification of the factors, including management practices, that distinguish higher performing
regional offices from other regional offices.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id5613A4D47C0E40DDB4AE0F590879910B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Identification of best practices employed by higher performing regional offices that distinguish
the performance of such offices from other regional offices.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id09B56946365E41C59D00322E159D2AF2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Comptroller General completes the audit
required by subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to
Congress a report on the results of the audit.</text></subsection></section><section id="idc6f8ed3f239d417297880de85800b897"><enum>202.</enum><header>Study on service-connected disabilities that worsen with age</header><subsection id="id99045CB2A29D426EA941ABE12F8C5237"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall complete a study on covered disabilities using historical
data regarding service-connected disabilities.</text></subsection><subsection id="id1C69EA6570874324BDFB85EEF2B061D0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered disabilities</header><text>For purposes of the study required by subsection (a), a covered disability is a service-connected
disability that the Secretary determines is of a type or class of
disability or condition that the Secretary determines is a type or class
of disability or condition that, for individuals with such type or
class of disability, the average impairment of earning capacity
resulting from such disability or condition increases as the individual
with such disability or condition ages.</text></subsection><subsection id="idF1E7810AC2254CFF870699A46147AAF4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Matters covered</header><text>The study required by subsection (a) shall include the following:</text><paragraph id="idF37D1B023BF74ED9BAEE7FC34E8E2634"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Analysis of historical statistics and information related to the progressive nature of covered
disabilities, in terms of increased impairment of earning capacity caused
by the disabilities.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id85CD64ECFCA542269F4724C3F7114D5A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Development of recommendations for legislative and administrative action that use statistics and
information described in paragraph (1) to adjudicate more quickly claims
for increased disability compensation and disability compensation claims
of veterans who had specific military occupation specialties when serving
in the Armed Forces.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7C15BEAFA69D40ED8513869C100F0C15"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report on the study required by subsection (a), including the
findings of the Secretary with respect to such study.</text></subsection><subsection id="id3790DFB681B54074A8EE15A136E97BD7"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Public comment</header><text>The Secretary shall—</text><paragraph id="id2582CE9465C141378024C6E3B85AD20E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>make the report submitted under paragraph (1) available to the public; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id48BAFC086FF9487E8440B317A650A179"><enum>(2)</enum><text>seek comments from the public, including from veterans service organizations, veterans, and medical
professionals, on the
recommendations developed under subsection (c)(2).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id44237DF673AB4919A201D37879C56DE8"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Proposal</header><paragraph id="id6C7EB1B0399844BBA5BCC0D51D68E285"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after submitting the report under subsection (d), the Secretary shall
develop and submit to Congress a proposal for conduct of a pilot program
to assess the feasibility and advisability of carrying out the
recommendations developed under subsection (c)(2).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id633A661C1BB5408F9DC74EECBAA4DC39"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Input</header><text>In developing the proposal required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the comments
received under subsection (e)(2).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idCF4265C8F28F4E66A47F4B3AB975FEF7"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The Secretary may not conduct the pilot program proposed under paragraph (1) or any portion of such
proposal except pursuant to
provisions of law enacted after the date of the receipt by Congress of
such proposal.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7C9AF2404E254F7990929BEE53A6D0AB"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Veterans service organization defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>veterans service organization</term> means an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section
5902 of title 38, United States Code.</text></subsection></section><section id="id308BA33211924A83BDCE6E4E04E40B32" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>203.</enum><header>Improvements to authority for performance of medical disabilities examinations by contract
physician</header><subsection id="id4418A828D7B3452EB409C0994145F0D2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Extension of temporary authority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (c) of section 704 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5101">38 U.S.C. 5101</external-xref> note) is amended
by striking <quote>December 31, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2016</quote>.</text></subsection><subsection id="H31441C7047224653BA0FE44CA95A2437"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Licensure of contract physicians</header><paragraph id="H8A74E395810A4CA699A9CEE44F2FA79B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Temporary authority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such section 704 is further amended—</text><subparagraph id="H4DA0C9AA361D4C61A708CC6F36B9C371"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H81EA797DDE964AADADAC6DD897E11314"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection (d):</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEDFFDE5218D64B38A823A892E128CF63" style="OLC"><subsection id="HEDF18E536C9B41288338FD56B653E8FE"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Licensure of contract physicians</header><paragraph id="HC06304CD4F7648A7B73F48E24D19791A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding any law regarding the licensure of physicians, a physician described in paragraph
(2) may conduct an examination pursuant to a contract entered into under
subsection (b) at any location in any State, the District of Columbia, or
a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, so long as
the examination is within the scope of the authorized duties under such
contract.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3DE61133A6CA49AFBBC9C30D6962F756"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Physician described</header><text>A physician described in this paragraph is a physician who—</text><subparagraph id="H7A6CFFC4D8BC43DBBB8ACD6B727F64C9"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">has a current license to practice the health care profession of the physician; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2C7E9D28994E4B6B8D1DE7EF3E736C9F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is performing authorized duties for the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a contract
entered into under subsection (b).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF34AF2FF67C546DAAE77FF4D61CBC3C3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Pilot program</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 504 of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 1996 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5101">38 U.S.C. 5101</external-xref> note) is amended—</text><subparagraph id="H702E22C2EEEE4244BF6509713B5D2A9C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H87F5FF2D74D5486982D04D9590B1DBD1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H568C56CFD7DE4DB9AAA407945A26D4CB" style="OLC"><subsection id="H4EE5006E0A9C4BDCBF7B8F618437E48E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Licensure of contract physicians</header><paragraph id="H9AE35024B19E47AAA603AB118F837F14"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding any law regarding the licensure of physicians, a physician described in paragraph
(2) may conduct an examination pursuant to a contract entered into under
subsection (a) at any location in any State, the District of Columbia, or
a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, so long as
the examination is within the scope of the authorized duties under such
contract.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H0F86E235530A4A2B8B98B21DE26DF073"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Physician described</header><text>A physician described in this paragraph is a physician who—</text><subparagraph id="H4D3AD02F290B4BB89C4083A1F0456F1B"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">has a current license to practice the health care profession of the physician; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBA654B85084F4F48A3BB251F12219633"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is performing authorized duties for the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a contract
entered into under subsection (a).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HB867FD80DBF247409BA9F0FF35D37136"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Expansion of pilot program</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (b) of such section 504 is amended to read as follows:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H93F3F6EAC53A4E539A00D60BB67CE934" style="OLC"><subsection id="HFF4B3D6FC5A54BB18C48DBBB27ED8C2B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Locations</header><paragraph id="H5F5A9BD6B4584E52B1B8BA044E2D3397"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Number</header><text>The Secretary may carry out the pilot program under this section through not more than 15 regional
offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H319241166121401EB6F50F7B193A8ACF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Selection</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall select the regional offices under paragraph (1) by analyzing appropriate data
to determine the regional offices that require support. Such appropriate
data shall include—</text><subparagraph id="H4599A970FF094E7BABD7F9F1B21EC5F4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the number of backlogged claims;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFE6281C4C1EA49B1AE3965C328215AC2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the total pending case workload;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB4FC8E3CC2754F17A5889BE06B1403ED"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the length of time cases have been pending;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1D99118796AC44418023F15B6DE98763"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the accuracy of completed cases;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0E092BBFEA5A4865A12EBF7C21118201"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the overall timeliness of completed cases;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H378DF9BC19C8419E9CA6566E33FF3D11"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the availability and workload of the examination units and physicians of the medical centers in the
regional office; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2FC70161C5C74E8087CF2718F2CA1AE5"><enum>(G)</enum><text>any other data the Secretary determines appropriate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H23E8F76EF2544383813414965FAB8C82"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Annual analysis</header><text>The Secretary shall carry out the data analysis of the regional offices under paragraph (2) during
each year in which the program under this section is carried out to
determine the regional offices selected under paragraph (1) for such year.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section><section id="ida29899d6b04a4f44a797785e41655e44"><enum>204.</enum><header>Improvement of mail processing by Department of Veterans Affairs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall develop and implement a plan to establish a
uniform mail processing and scanning system throughout the regional
offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration.</text></section><section id="idd700b4d663ca4c5889c31b6393c7b280"><enum>205.</enum><header>Review of practices of regional offices regarding use of suspense dates</header><subsection id="idB1819FCD7BA7442EA0F66724B3AB0398"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Review required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the
Department of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a review of the practices of
regional offices of the Department regarding the use of suspense dates
during the disability claim assessment process.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6F634147B77946FBABA66A14054914AC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the
Department shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of the
Inspector General with respect to the review conducted under subsection
(a).</text></subsection></section><section id="id62A0CA4655144FFAB9AD6EC6DDDA186D"><enum>206.</enum><header>Semiannual reports on progress in implementing Veterans Benefits Management System</header><subsection id="id0F2C109EFECB47D78E37011B630A0B05"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than
once every 180 days thereafter until the Inspector General of the
Department of Veterans Affairs certifies to Congress that the Veterans
Benefits Management System is implemented and fully functional, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the
progress of the Secretary in implementing the Veterans Benefits Management
System.</text></subsection><subsection id="id44C627F342814CA58A576BEDB543FEEE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:</text><paragraph id="idD306E81970964B20A828FA24996B2AF8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>An assessment of the current functionality of the Veterans Benefits Management System, including
whether each component of the system is fully functional, partially
functional, or not functional.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id5CEA5D5FFF9C4C5FABA7A853D9B66935"><enum>(2)</enum><text>For each component of the system that is partially functional or not functional, an estimate of the
date by which the Secretary expects the component to be fully functional.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id85AD8CAC67954E22BB54BFD74D5EF993"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Recommendations submitted to the Secretary by employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who
are involved in processing claims for benefits under laws administered by
the Secretary, including veteran service representatives, rating veteran
service representatives, and decision review officers, for such
legislative or administrative action as the employees consider appropriate
to improve the processing of such claims.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id3BD35AA7738149FEB77861D21C4D82A2"><enum>207.</enum><header>Annual report on capacity of Veterans Benefits Administration to process benefits claims</header><subsection id="idCE3E4816C17743628192084663E14854"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than
once each year thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the capacity
of the Veterans Benefits Administration to process claims for benefits
under laws administered by the Secretary during the next one-year
period.</text></subsection><subsection id="id1AB73937C4294BA4A92F4778EFC4A2F5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall include, for the period covered by the report, the
following:</text><paragraph id="id0bc54483dbe3470d8194fb9aca8306b1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The number of claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary that the Secretary
expects the Veterans Benefits Administration to process.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id756DD61C6477400EADB8219926609D37"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The number of full-time equivalent employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration who are
dedicated to processing such claims.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id30E2DEDF90984A148DE159D72F3BD963"><enum>(3)</enum><text>An estimate of the number of such claims a single full-time equivalent employee of the
Administration can process in a year.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id610FC5559E8B48A68B682677106CB5E3"><enum>(4)</enum><text>An assessment of whether the Administration requires additional or fewer full-time equivalent
employees to process such claims during the next 1-year, 5-year, and
10-year periods.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id57923036EF3D40CF8E72C915AFFAA169"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Public availability</header><text>The Secretary shall make the report required by subsection (a) available to the public on an
Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text></subsection></section><section id="iddd5a1d8f7be24a8582a0c571b07fe580"><enum>208.</enum><header>Increased transparency in Monday Morning Workload Report</header><subsection id="id787ce500ab3447caba4577bbfdd06b1d"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Disaggregation of claims by decisions requiring disability rating</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall include in each Monday Morning Workload Report published by
the Secretary the number of claims for benefits under laws administered by
the Secretary that have been received by a regional office of the
Department of Veterans Affairs and are pending a decision, disaggregated
by—</text><paragraph id="idB096A45DEBB04F37B0260C1BC94D3D0C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>whether the claim has been pending for more than 125 days; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id878F0C3DA2214E18BDF64DDE15171146"><enum>(2)</enum><text>whether the claim requires a decision concerning a disability rating.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide2d2348b59714ff0ab0e07b59e687a8b"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Inclusion of information on assignment of partial ratings</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall include in each Monday Morning Workload Report published by
the Secretary in the portion of the report entitled <quote>Transformation</quote> and in the portion of the report entitled <quote>Aggregate</quote> the number of partial ratings assigned.</text></subsection><subsection id="id4e52a4ae67b94b79be7356904cae6757"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report on fully developed claims</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall include in each Monday Morning Workload Report published by
the Secretary the following:</text><paragraph id="idF4DD741B4DD941159F4F3C62637F099C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The total number of fully developed claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary
that—</text><subparagraph id="id3D1AAB9A53AE4AF497747380E98EC006"><enum>(A)</enum><text>have been received by a regional office of the Department of Veterans
Affairs; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDDA9001CCC9E419AABFFD11E18B5F91F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>are pending a decision.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2EB042CC8EE94C9C8D246A35B9081CC1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The total number of such claims that have been pending for more than 125 days, disaggregated by
station.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id65a3d04b28214932b98e0652e787fd13"><enum>209.</enum><header>Reports on appeals of decisions on benefits claims</header><subsection id="id3B9A1D5694534A0A869E08AC982D9841"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Public availability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make the reports of the Department of Veterans Affairs
entitled <quote>Appeals Pending</quote> and <quote>Appeals Workload By Station</quote> available to the public on an Internet website of the Department.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1CFF1C6D2732439497F15B6869022104"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Appeals granted by station</header><text>The Secretary shall include in one of the reports described in subsection (a) the percentage of
appeals granted by station.</text></subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Government response</header><section id="idb17687d4c7c24efcb3e0373611463c0a"><enum>301.</enum><header>Increased cooperation across Government</header><subsection id="idDAF42D09438A48FFA02139DED3F5A2A2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Appointment of liaisons</header><paragraph id="id4FF8290973CD42B98461C012C6A9F2DF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Department of Defense</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall appoint individuals as follows:</text><subparagraph id="id51D817296E3B40AAA4748F163EB6409E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>At least one individual to act as a liaison under this section between the Department of Defense
and the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4B7FB04EBC8B4BB5BC7B715630B79C50"><enum>(B)</enum><text>At least one individual for each of the reserve components of the Armed Forces to act as a liaison
under this section between the respective component of the Armed Forces
and the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idED91C7BF06FA4BE8972C40C22CFBEF9E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Social Security Administration</header><text>The Commissioner of Social Security shall appoint at least one individual to act as a liaison under
this section between the Social Security Administration and the Department
of Veterans Affairs.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idE486A2FE2D19443B96ED5045980BB396"><enum>(3)</enum><header>National Archives and Records Administration</header><text>The Archivist of the United States shall appoint at least one individual to act as a liaison under
this section between the Social Security Administration and the Department
of Veterans Affairs.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id0ED3A9C678014C2C94A127B6311C548D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duties of liaisons</header><text>Each individual acting as a liaison under this section shall expedite the timely provision to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs of such information as the Secretary
requires to process claims submitted to the Secretary for benefits under
laws administered by the Secretary.</text></subsection><subsection id="id269BC6019A5C487E8131263D95B0B7F2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Procedures</header><paragraph id="idEB7E45CEE9B145E3B5F09CC2CE466BE6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, the Commissioner of Social Security,
and the Archivist of the United States shall jointly develop and implement
procedures to improve the timely provision to the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs of such information as the Secretary requires to process claims
submitted to the Secretary for benefits under laws administered by the
Secretary.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id3F46F127017A4AE59C03C842280A5CF3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Timely provision</header><text>The procedures developed and implemented under paragraph (1) shall ensure that the information
provided to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is provided to the Secretary
not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary requests the
information.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8690BB3EFD4944638A65F2DB0DE8FB82"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Annual reports</header><text>Not less frequently than once each year, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress
a report on—</text><paragraph id="idBDA75A69B15F4B60ABDA22DAB429938E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the requests for information made by the Secretary during the most recent one-year period for
information from the Secretary of Defense, the Commissioner of Social
Security, and the Archivist of the United States required by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs to process claims submitted to the Secretary for
benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idC17C367B13704F36B0F123D0A02E0670"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the timeliness of responses to such requests.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idB8C131ACF78F41D0B71DAD6E45C796A9"><enum>302.</enum><header>Report on interoperability between electronic health records systems of Department of Defense and
Department of Veterans Affairs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to Congress a
report that sets forth a timeline with milestones for achieving
interoperability between the electronic health records systems of the
Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text></section>